What will change in FIFA this year? Here you get answers to the most important questions about the release, pre-orders and all the new features
Just in time for the European Championship final on 11 July 2021, Electronic Arts revealed what’s next for FIFA this year. FIFA 21 was considered a rather weak year among fans. Let’s see how FIFA 22 looks like this year. After all, the sports game will also be playable on the next-gen consoles right at release.
But also apart from the actual gameplay there are a lot of question marks over the heads of FIFA fans. Here you can find out which innovations the developers have come up with and you can also find answers to all other questions you might ask yourself about the release of FIFA 22.
Release: When will FIFA 22 be released?
FIFA 22 will be released everywhere on the 1st October 2021. These release dates are also pretty much set in stone for games like FIFA. So a possible postponement is not to be expected.
But you can also play earlier: Like every year, players can also get early access. There are three different ways to do this.
Play FIFA 22 from 27 September: If you pre-order the Ultimate Edition of FIFA 22, you will get access to the game four days earlier. You can find more about this edition here.
Play FIFA 22 from September 22nd (10 hours): If you have the subscription mode EA Play, you can play FIFA 22 already 10 days before the release. However, only for a limited time of 10 hours. The service costs 4 euros a month or 25 euros a year.
FIFA 22 from 22 September (unlimited): PC players can also access EA Play Pro. This also gives them access 10 days in advance and allows them to play without a time limit. EA Play Pro costs 15 euros a month or 100 euros a year.
The release date was announced together in the course of a first trailer, which you can see here:
Platforms: What is FIFA 22 being released for?
The new FIFA will be released for both next-gen and last-gen consoles. On the PC, FIFA 22 is available normally via Steam or EA Origin or optionally with Google Stadia.
So the platforms are: PC, Stadia, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch.
Differences in versions:
Like last year, not all versions are identical to each other. On PS5 and Xbox Series X/S FIFA 22 will offer more features than on the older models. How exactly the versions differ in detail is still unclear. But we already know that the new HyperMotion feature will only take place on the next-gen consoles. Presumably graphical improvements are also missing again, as already in FIFA 21.
The PC will also be left out in the cold once again. Those who buy FIFA 22 on Steam or Origin will receive the version for PS4 and Xbox One. So without HyperMotion. At least you can play FIFA 22 in the modern version on PC, as long as you do it via Google Stadia.
Players on the Switch will be even worse off. Here they can expect a game that still has more or less the same gameplay as three years ago. At least this version will be a little cheaper this time, but at 40 euros it’s still not cheap.
Crossplay:
Officially, crossplay has not yet been rejected. But we think it is very unlikely. Crossplay will not be possible between PC and next-gen consoles, as the versions differ. But even between PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, a crossplay feature is not to be expected so far.
Preorder & Price: Where can you buy FIFA 22 & are there different editions?
You can pre-order FIFA 22 now. On the PC as well as on all consoles. The game is available on PC at Origin, Steam and via Google Stadia. There are also special pre-order bonuses and two different versions.
The standard version of FIFA 22 costs 60 euros, the Ultimate Edition is 80 euros. Exactly which advantages are in the Ultimate Edition is still unclear. Only the pre-order bonuses are known.
These are the bonuses for pre-orderers:
– Team-of-the-Week-1-Player-Item: An unchangeable player item for the FUT mode.
– Kylian Mbappé-Leih-Item: The cover star is available for 5 games in FUT mode.
– FUT Ambassador Loan Item: You can use Alaba, Foden or Son for 3 games in FUT mode.
– Career Mode Homegrown: Your young players have world class potential
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These are the bonuses for Ultimate Edition pre-orderers:.
– FUT Hero Player Item: Players will be able to get an un-swappable hero player for their FUT team. But beware. The offer only runs until 11 August and the player will not be available until 1 December.
– One-to-Watch-Player-Item: Players get an unchangeable one-to-watch player in FUT mode. So decidedly great talents.
– 4 Days Advance Access: Players can get started with the Ultimate Edition as early as September 27.
– 4,600 FIFA Points: Players can use this in-game currency to buy map packs in FUT mode.
We couldn’t play the new FIFA ourselves yet. But EA has already announced a few innovations for the gameplay. As usual, the publisher remains rather vague. In essence, there are some impressive sounding English catchwords. But what that means for the game in detail remains to be seen.
What is HyperMotion? The most important innovation this year will be a technology called HyperMotion. According to EA FIFA will be “revolutionised” by this, but here you better don’t give too much credit to the words of the marketing department. The technology is supposed to mainly influence the animations and provide for faster, more realistic and smoother football experiences.
Here, not only individual players in a motion capture suit are filmed, but the complete teams on the pitch. That means 22 people. In this way, realistic movements are supposed to emerge from many different game situations. The technology is also supposed to be adaptive and thus write new animations in real time.
New goalkeeper system: Another gameplay innovation concerns the goalkeepers. The goalkeepers are supposed to behave more consistently in a way that corresponds to their personality. For example, whether a goalkeeper is more likely to run out wide or stick to the line.
Game Modes: Is there anything new?
Currently there do not seem to be any new game modes worth mentioning. The old familiar modes are returning. However, there is no story mode like in the past. Some innovations have already been announced for some game modes. However, not much is known yet. The innovations are:
– Career mode: Players can found their own club in FIFA 22 and take part in a career.
– Volta Football: The street mdous of FIFA 21 has been reworked a bit and should offer new gameplay now.
– Ultimate Team: There are new maps in the FUT mode. Namely, FIFA 22 introduces the Heroes. Similar to the icons, Heroes are players who are considered to be absolute cult players due to their past and are particularly popular with the fans. However, this also applies to players who are still actively playing.
Licenses: Which teams, stadiums and players are included?
This year FIFA again offers the biggest licence package compared to the competition. However, EA has not leased all licences for a long time. Some of the rights to original team names and kits are held by Pro Evo. Among them this year are many Italian clubs such as Juventus Turin, Atalanta Bergamo or AS Rome.
Nevertheless, FIFA still holds numerous licences. The UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Premier League, Bundesliga, LaLiga Satander, Ligue 1, Serie A, Conmebol Libertadores, Conmebol Sudamericana, Liga MX and MLS are advertised.
In total, the game includes 17,000 players, 700 teams, 90 stadiums and over 30 leagues.
